Process for appointing VCs at 18 varsities complete

LAHORE: Out of a total of 25 public sector universities of Punjab, the process for appointing Vice Chancellors (VCs) at 18 public sector universities in Punjab has been completed, and the final decision is now awaiting approval by the chief minister.

Sources said that the search committees have conducted interviews and submitted a panel of the top three candidates for each institution. However, the selection process for VCs at seven women’s universities is still ongoing. The Higher Education Department (HED) Punjab expects to finalise these appointments by September 28. It is pertinent to mention here that the Punjab Cabinet had approved the reconstitution of search committees for the appointment of VCs in 25 public sector universities in late April this year.

These committees, tasked with selecting VCs, drew attention for including several ex-civil servants as conveners and members, which raised concerns among some stakeholders. Despite the criticism, the committees proceeded with their responsibilities, and their work has now resulted in a panel of top candidates for 18 universities, with the remaining seven cases expected to be completed by the end of this month.

It is also important to mention here that the search committees were formed to select VCs for 25 public sector universities in Punjab. These include Punjab University, Government College University (GCU) Lahore, GCU Faisalabad, Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) Multan, Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB), University of Gujrat, University of Education Lahore, University of Narowal, UET Lahore, UET Taxila, Khawaja Fareed University of Information Technology (RY Khan), Information Technology University (ITU) Lahore, University of Kamalia, University of Layyah, University of Bhakkar, University of Okara, University of Jhang, Ghazi University (Dera Ghazi Khan), Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), Government College University for Women (Sialkot), Government Sadiq College Women University (Bahawalpur), Women University (Multan), Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) Rawalpindi, Government College Women University (Faisalabad), and the University of Home Economics (Lahore).